Check-indorsing machine



.Febpls, 1929. I

7 1,702,763 P. J. CLARK crwcx IIINDORSING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1927 4 speets-sne t I v 1,702,763 P. J. CLARK I CHECK INDORS ING MACHINE Feb.f19, 1929.

Filed March l6. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 "1,702,763 P. J. CLARK CHECK -INDORSING MACHINE Filed March 16,- 1927 -4 Sheets-Sheet 5 LHECOFOMIVI' BVMK M' If [6 Feb. 19, i 929-.

P. J. CLARK CHECK INDOHSING MACHINE Filed March 16, 1927 4 Sheds-Sheet 4 1 required to indorse large numbers of checks and other paper, said indorsement usually re- Patented Feb. 19,1929.

UNITED STATES ram. J. crux, or rnaasanrmm, imw' mass-Y."

CHECK-INDORSING ILACKINE.

Application filed larch 16, 1927. Serial No. 176,819, I

My invention relates to indorsing machines such for example as machines used in banks, trust companies, and other places where it is quiring the printing or stamping of dates and other numbers which must be changed from time to timeand also requiring the printing of a permanent setting such for example as the name of the bank and the wording Received payment. 7

Prior to my present invention, a number of machines have been designed and put on the market which machines operate to indorse the backs of checks, but up to the time of my presentinvention these prior machines have not'been entirely successful; one of the disadvantages being the marring and tearing of the checks; another disadvantage being the failure at times for the printing operation to properly indorse the check, the check sometimes passing through without receiving any j ,ch1ne made in accordance wlth my invention,

indorsement whatever.

In said prior art machines the detector arms employed in each instance, were connected with the stop mechanism for the type cylinder or die-hub which imposed a great amount of strain on the checks-or other papers while passing through the machine. instances, according to the strength and'resistance of the paper out of which the checks were made, this strain was too much for the checks and they were often torn and mutilated. If the adjustments were changed on the arms of said prior art machines to prevent the mutilation of the checks, the spring tension adjustment would not be suflicient to hold the die or type'cylinder on its return rotation to normal position and hence there was no assurance of the properstarting and control of the type cylinder. Furthermore, there was no assurance of the point of contact of the printed type with the check, sometimes the printing occurring only partly on the check; there being practically no control or assurance of controlling the type carrier or cylinder. Taking into consideration that to be of practical value such machines must operate quickly and accurately in order for great numbers of checks to be put through in a short time,'it is believed to be obvious that if such assurance cannot be had that the machine is of practically little value.

With said prior art conditions in view, I

have invented a machine in which the checkengaging trip arms are in no way connected In some .with an type cylinder stops, so that the work impose on the checks is practically nil, at the same time said arms are eflective to quickly and accurately move the type carrier or c linder into a positive printing position wit respect to the checks, as' they are fed into the machine. In carrying out this object I-have employed electro-m'agnetic means, illustrated in the form of electric magnets which, magnets are energized through the action'of said trip-arms to attract an armature, said armature, during its movement, being 'efl'ec- .tive to lower the ty e carrier or cylinder in I close proximity to t e platen roll, so that the check passing therebetween will receive an accurate and predetermined printing of the indorsement. p

The above objects and advantageous ends I attain in the following manner, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which 1 v 2 Figure 1 is a sectional elevation of a mathe section being taken on the line 1- 1 of Figure'2,

Figure 2 is a lan view of my improvedmachine, part of t e frame being shown in sec- .ti'on,v Figure 3 is a transverse sectional elevatio taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

4 Figure 4 is a longitudinal elevation improved typecylinder or carrier, Figures 5 and G are respectively views of the opposite ends of the type carrier shown in Figure 4,

Figure 7 taken on the line 7 -7 of Figure 4,

Figure 8' is a transverse. sectional elevation taken on the line 88 of Figure 7,

of my" 's.a longitudinal sectional view" Figure 9 is an elevation showin the inner surface of one of the ends-of sai rier, both of thevinner parts of said ends being similarly constructed,

- Figure 10 is a fragmentary side elevation, partly in section, showing certain of the tures of my improved machine,

-' Figure 11 is'a fragmentary elevation part type car- 1 feataken I through and receiving a printed indorsement, I

Figure14 is a fragmentary sectional perspectlve view illustrating one of the swmga 1e and independently adjustable stops forming a part of my invention, and

Figure 15 is a perspective view showing an indorsementcapable of being printed upon the back of a check or other paper by my improved machine. I r

Referring particularly to the drawings, 16 re resents a frame structure, the opposite si es of which form the bearing for the ends of an axle 17, said axle being connected to the platen roll 18. Gear wheels 19 on the axle 17 mesh with gear wheels 20 on the shaft'of an electric motor 21, said motor being set in motion through the medium of a switch which is diagrammatically indicated at 21 in Figure 2. The platen roll 18, adjacent its opposite ends, is cut to form integral friction discs 22 so that said discs operate in unison with the platen roll 18. Other friction discs 23 are rotatably mounted on trunnions 24, said trunnions projectin from blocks 25 which are slidably mounted within grooves of housings 26 wlnch are secured to the opposite sides of the frame structure. These housings have bowed s rings 27 secured thereto which press resilient y on the upper edge surfaces of the blocks 25 irr order to keep a downward resilient pressure of the discs 23 uponthe discs 22, it being'noted that when the checks or other papers are fed into the machine they-pass between the discs 22 and 23 adjacent opposite sides of themachine, and are thus frictionally engaged and conveyed; the discs 23 resiliently yielding upwardly to the extent of the thickness of said checks.

Tripordetectorarms28arepivotallymounted at 29 adjacent opposite sides of the frame structure, said arms having lower curved end portions 30 which normally extend within annular grooves or channels 31 existing be- "tween the friction 'discs 22 and the adjacent ends of the platen roll 18 it thus being noted that said ends 30 ofthe arms 28- are normally within the path of a check or other paper fed between the friction discs 22 and 23 and that between said friction discs and that the arms 28 will be swung on their pivots 29 against the tension of springs 32. The lower ends 30 of- 'the arms 28, due to the action of the springs 32, are normally heldin contact with the surfaces 31 of the grooves or channels 31 below their uppermost portions so as to be in po'sisaid contact pins being electrically insulated from the metallic frame structure 16.

A carriage 35 is pivotally mounted at 36 so as to swing upwardly and downwardly. said carriage havmg a-rear extension 37 w iich is pressed by a spring 38 on an'adjusting screw or bolt 39, said adjusting screw or bolt being.

trated at 42 in Figure 2, said condenser being included in the circuit to avoid the formation of an arc during the breakinlg1 of the circuit which action occurs during t e operation of the machine. Any suitable electric circuit can be used and I have diagrammatically illustrated one form of wiring including a battery. or other suitable electric generator.

The forward end of the carriage 35 is bifurcated, and between the furcations thereof is mounted the type cylinder or carrier 43,

said carrier being clearly illustrated in Figures 5 to 9 inclusive. The carrier is made up so as to include two end portions 44 which have trunnions 45 pivotally mounted in fun cations of the forward end of the carriage'35, said furcations having i'emovable lap sections 46 for the purpose of easily inserting and removing the "trunnions of the type carrier. A frame 47 includes the movable type48 such for example as bands or wheels including projecting letters and numbers which may be independently moved to produce the month, date and year and any other markings, such asinumbers and letters to designate certain banks or trust companies, etc. The upper part of the frame 47 is retained by an arcuate plate 49 which has its end portions positioned within arcuate grooves 50 in the ends 44 of the type carrier. A bolt 51 is made in two slidable sections carried by the frame 47 and the opposite ends of said sections -move within transverse grooves or notches 52 in the ends 44, by the action of a. spring 53, as clearly shown in Figures 7 and 8. A type plate 54 is secured onthe arcuate plate 49 by hinged clamping bands 55. This plate 54 has permanent t pe thereon, such for. example as type rea ing Received.payment-,the Colonial Bank N. Y. The plate 54 has an opening 54 out of which project the movable type 48.

It will be noted that if the forward end of the carriage 35 is moved downwardly on the pivot 36 that both the movableand permanent type of the carrier 43 will be moved into printing position with respect to a check or other paper while being conveyed by and between the friction discs 22 and 23 and across the platen 18.

Aninkling roll 56 has trunnions 57 mounted within slots-58 in the furcatiqns of the carriage 35 and is adjustable toward and from the type carrier by adjusting screws 59. This inking roll is made of a felt or matted W001 One end 44 of 011ii i(tls face upon which liquid-ink ape I I the type carrier orcylinder 43 has a pin 60 projecting therefrom while the other end 44'has a pin 61 projectin there'- from. {The pin 60 is arranged forwar of the pin 61;' '2while the type earner is in-'its.normal raised position as shown in Figure The in- :of the rame structure so that the advanced 60 whenin said latter position is' adapte to engagea stop 62 which is rigidly sec'uredfto a stud 63, the stud beingadjustably secured to a side of. the frame structure 16through the mediumot an arcuate slot 64." "In other words, while the stop 62 is rigid, it can be adjusted forwardly or rearwardly from the position' .shown-, in Figure 1 ,for the purposes ing adjustably seured to the frame structure- 16 through-the mediiimof an arcuate slot 68.

The pi1t67. hasa transversely extending pin 69'whi'ch projects outof a slot 70 in the sleeve 66. Thus the stopv65fis free to. swing to the extentgof movement-of tliefpin 69 the'slot' .7 0, This'structureprevents the stop 65 from swinging too far ineither.direction iorlttv pur-j; pose hereinafter set forth; It may behere' statedt however, that the pin *coa'cts with thesto'p 62 and that the pin 61 coaciiis with the lower end'of the stop 65, and thus-the type carrier-is prevented froni'accidentally moving too iar'forward or back. lashing to aldetrimental extent as will vbe. more ob ous from V the frame structure 16 and ha've Screw threadthe following description;

Lugs 171 project from the opposite ed holes in which fit adjustable screw thread: ed astops 72, the lower. ends of which. are

adapted to engage and coact' with the ex- 5 .(latiofhsfof the. carriage ;'35. .t'o limit the 4 5 I i-jthreaded sto lit 'f'of upwar'djswing of the .forward end age -'35'."' It ma ion of the carri be here '62 thatthe type carrier will; be prevente rotate too'far orward after each.;printing 3 from rotatin and also that said pin 60, by en'-' gagement with the stop 62 will prevent the inertia of the tyfpe carrier from causing it to operation. The pin61, on the other Chan prevents any accidental backlash for the rea-- son that if a back lash starts to occur, the pin 61' will engage the forward part of the stop and, from the normal position; as illustrated in Figure 1, the stop 65 cannot swing rearwardly for the reason that the pin 69is at the end of the arcuate slot 70, hence the stop carrier;

v, 1 7 In theoperation of my machine, considering for'example that bank checks, one of which is illustrated at w, are to be indorsed on 4 their backs,.th e checks are individually moved by an o erator down the inclined portion 73 edge of the check will be gripped between the friction discs 22 and 23 and will be moved or engage and swing "the arms 28'until the portions 33 thereof contact with the electrically energized pins 343. This action will complete.- hereinafter described". 'secondfstop 65 is connected to a sleeve 66 which is pivotally orrockably 'mounted on .a pinf67, the pin 67 bethe ar ture 40, and consequentl swing thev ewar'dgg art of the carriage 35. ownwardly onfthep1vot36. .';This. action will move the an electric circuit'through the coils of the elecnetizing'il hfii cores so as to attract and move type'carrier or cylinder 43 downwardly to such extent as to move the pin 60 below the stop 62 and the typecarrier will engage the moving check thereby causing the rotation of conveyed thereby over-the topof the platen roll 18." Said advanced edge of the check will giro-magnets .41,' thereby temporarily .magi the type carrier o cylinder to form an im-"f fl' pression or type upon t arms out-0fcontact-with t I 34.- and-the electridcircuit through the electro magnetsflfll will-" be broken and the electromagnets will? be deeenergized" allowing the momentum-imparted by the rot'ation of the printing ofthe movable and fixed, e'bajck .oft'he check. As s oon' as the arms28 are freed iby the check, the springs 19, i r v 32 will operate to move the ortions 33 of said he electrified pins I s rm es to swing the forward part .of the carriage35upwardly so as to ralse the type -carrier into its normal position. During this vupward'movernent'olf the type carrier the type carrier will movethe type face'into con-31' tact with theiinking roll 56 and past the same until the pin 60 again engages the stop 62, the pin 61 being operative to swing thestop 65 onits pivot in erder to allow the-pin. 61 to will strike-the forward part of the pendant pass said stop 65, and then'the stopv 65;v vi ll swingdown'wardly into its normalposition so that if. any rebound or back lash of the type j cylinderuattempts to take-place, the pinj61 portion of the stop' 65 and further rearward If m v ent Qfthe type carrier will bestoppcd; I "After beingindorsed, the checks will fall to the bottom'of the frame structure where they can be removed through the opening in the side thereof. I

able stop: 2 can be used to varythe relation between the pin'60 and the stop 62nd from the pin 60 from the stop 62 can be varied and that the electro-magnets 41 can be compelled It was reviously 'stated jt hat'the the foregoing descriptionof the o erationg it 1 2 will be obviousthat the time. of c ea'rance of platen; rotatable type; stopping means for limiting the rotation of said type; means I operative for conveying the pa JBIS; electrically controlled means rendere operative by said papers, While being conveyed, to relatively move the type and said platen toward each other to form an impression of said type on said papers and to thereby impart rotation to saidrotatable type by contact with the papers; and means for relatively moving said type andgflaten away from each other and to cause sai typeto be stopped in its rotation by said stopping means.

2. In a machine of the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; rotatable type; means operative for conveying the papers; detector meansadapted to be moved by said papers, while being conveyed; electrically o erative means; an electrlc contact 1n circuit with sald electrically operative means, said detector means having a portion for engagement with said electric contact for completing an electric circuit through said electrically operative means to eifect movement of said type toward the platen to form an impression on said papers; means for moving said engagement portion of the detector means out of engagement'with said electric contact when the detector means is released by said papers to break the electric circuit through said electrically operative means whereby said type is free'to be moved away from said platen; and stop ing means operative to prevent rotation 0 said type when moved to a predetermined position away from said platen.

'3. In a machine of the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; a carriage; a rotatabletype carrier on saidcarriage; type on said carrier; a movably mounted detector arm; means for conveying papers across the platen whereby the papers will move said detector arm; electric 1 means operative when energized to move said carriage to cause said carrier to move the type in printing contact with the paper on said platen and to cause rotation of said car rier by the conveying action of the paper;

- electric contact means, in electric connection Withsaid electrically operative means, said detector arm having a portion which, when the arm is moved by the paper, will engage said contact means and thereby complete an electric circuit through said electrically operative means to electrically energize the latter;

and an adjustable. stop adapted to limit to various extents the movement of said type carrier away from said platen.

4. In a machine of the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; a carriage; a rotatable type carrier on said carriage; type on said carrier; a movably-mounted detector arm; means for conveying papers across the platen whereby the papers will move said detector arm; electric means operative when energized to move said carriage to cause said carrier to move the type in printing contact with'the paper on sald platen and to cause rotation of said carrier .by the conveying action of the paper; electric contact means in electric connection with said electrically operative means, said detector I arm having a portion which, when thear-m is moved by the paper, will engage said contact meansand thereby com lete an electric circuit through said electrically operativemeans to electrically energize the latter; and stopping means for arresting the rotatable movement of said type carrier after the latter has been moved away-from said platen. I

5. In a machine of the character described for'indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; a carriage; a rotatable type carrier on said carriage; type on said carrier; amovably mounted detector arm; means for con-- veying papers across the platen whereby the 1 papers will move said detector arm; electric means operative when energized to move said carriage to cause said carrier to move the type in printing contact with the paper on said platen and to cause rotation of said c'arrier by the conveying action of the paper; electric contact means, in electric connection with said electrically operative means, said detector arm having a portion which, when the arm is moved by the paper, will engage said contact means and thereby com lete an electric circuit through said electrical y oper-i I ative means to electrically energize the latter;

stopping means for arresting the rotatable movement of said type carrier after the latter has been moved away from said laten; and

an adjustable stop adapted to limit to various the papers will move said detector arm; a

spring for moving said detector arm in an opposite direction when released by the papers; electric means operative when energized to move said carriage to cause said carrier to move the type in printing contact with the paper on said laten so as to cause rotation of said carrier tion of the paper; elect'rlc contact means in the conveying acon said carria e' type on said carr1er; a piv- I electric connection with said electrically op- ,erative means, said detector arm. having a portion which, when the arm' is moved by the paper, will engage said contact means 1 5 and thereby complete an electric circuit through said electrically operative means to electrically energize the latter; stopping means mounted-independently ofsaid carrier; and means carried by said type carrier for engagement with said stop ing means to limit and stdp the rotation of said type carrier.

7. In a machine of the character described for indorsing'papers the combination of a platen; a carriage; a rotatable type carrier on said carriage; type on said carrier; a pivotally mounted detector arm; means for conveying papers across the laten whereby the papers w1ll move said etector arm; a 20 spring for moving said detector arm' in an opposite direction when released by the papers; electric means operative when energized'to move said carriage. to cause said carrier to move the'type into printin contact with the paper on said platen an so as -veying action of the-paper, electric contact f-.means in electric connection with said elec- 7 carrier 7 or engagement with said stopping 1 j means, said stopping means being'adjustable in its position whereby thetype carrier can be stopped in' various positions'iniitsrotation to' vary the position of the indorsementv of the paperwith res ect tothe edges thereof.

'58. In amachine 0 the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; a carriage;- a rotatable type carrier otal ly mounte e ctor arm; means for conveying pa rsvacross .theplaten whereby the,

direction when released by the pers; electhe type into printing contact with the aper' on said platen and to cause rotation oi carrier, by the conveying action of the paper; electric contact means in electric connection with'said electrically operative means, said" detector arm' having a portion which, when the arm is moved bythe paper, will engage saidcontact means and thereby complete an electric circuit through said electrically op-. erative means'to .electrically ener e the latter; stopping means mounted in ependently of said type carrier; means on type carto cause rotation of said carrier by the 'con-' apers wi move said detector arm; a spring or moving said detector arm in an opposite tri c means operative when energized to move said carmageto cause said carrier tomove" said ried for engagement with said stopping means, said stopping means being adjustable in its position whereby the type carrier can carrier away from said platen whereby the relative positions between said first stopping means and the engaging means on said type carrier can be varied to change the time of v clearance of said carrier and the consequent impact of the type with the paper to be indorsed.

9. In a machine of the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; means for conveying papers over said, platen; a movably mounted carriage; a type carrier rotatably mounted on said carriage; means for moving said carriage to.cause said type carrier to move into andout of printing relation with said platen so that a paper fed between the platen and the type carrierwill receive a printing from the. type of said carrier, the friction exerted between the paper, the platen, and the t'ype of the 7 carrier causing said type carrier to receive a rotatable movement; andstopping means operative to stop the rotation of said type "carrier when the latter is moved away from said platen.

10. In a machine of the character described I for indorsing apers, the co bination of a platen; a mova le-carriage; a kd'eely rotatable type carrier on said carriage; I n inking member; means operative to conve papers between the type carrier and the p aten; means for moving said carriage in opposite directions to cause said type carrier to move into and out of contact with the papers and to receive a rotatable movement by contact of the type with said papers whereby the type is moved into engagement with and past said inking member ;'and stopfping means 0perative to stop the rotation 0 said type carrier.

11. In a machine of the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; a rotatable type carrier; pins on said type carrier placed one in advance of the ot er; a normally fixed stop for abutment with the foremost of said pins; a swingable stop for the rearmost pin; means for conveying papers between said rotatable type carrier and the platen;'and means for movin said type carrier to engage said papers an so as to receive rotation ueto said engagement, said second stop being movable to allow the rearmost in to swing it into such position that saidatter mentioned pin will pass to a 'osition forward thereof, said second stop ing automatically movable to a limited extent in anotherdirection to prevent said rearmost pin fromipassing it upon an attempted back lash or rebound of the type carrier when said first pin engages said first stop.

12. Ina machine of the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; a rotatable type carrier; pins on said type carrier placed one in advance of the other; a normally fixed stop for abutment with the foremost of said pins; a swingable stop for the rearmost pin; means for convey- V ing papers between said rotatable type carrier and the platen; and means for moving said type carrier to engage said apers and so as to receive rotation due to sai engagement, said second stop being movable to allow the rearmost pin to swing it into such position that said latter mentioned pin will pass to a position forward thereof, said second stop bein automatically movable to a limited extent 1n anotherdire'ction to prevent said rearmost pin from passing thereby upon an attempted back lash or rebound of the t pe carrier when said first pin engages said first stop, said stops being adjusta ly mounted.

13. In a machine of the character described for indorsing papers, the combination of a platen; a freely rotatable type carrier; stopping means for'li mitingthe rotation of the type; means operative for conveying the papers; and means rendered operative by said papers, whilebeing. conveyed, to relatively move the type and said platen toward each other to efiect rotation'of the type carrier and to form an impression of said ty e on said papers, said latter means being re easableto eflect relative movement of the type carrier and platen away from each other whereby the type carrier will rotate due to its inertia until it is stopped by said stopping means.

' 14.- "In a machine of the character described, a rotatable type carrier; a platen; means for relatively moving the type carrier and platen toward and from each other to produce indorsements on papers; stopping means; and means movable in conjunction sai name to this specification.

produce indorsements on papers; stopping means; means movable in conjunction with said type carrier for engagement with said sto ing means, said stopping means and d atter means being relatively adjustable whereby the type carrier can be stopped-in various positions in its rotation to varythe position of the indorsements on the papers with respectto the edges thereof; and an adjustable stop adapted to limit to various e'xtents the relative movement of the type carrier and platen away from each other whereby the relative 'positions between said first stopping means and said engaging means can 'be varied to change the time of clearance of said carrier and the consequent impact of the I type with the paper to be indorsed. 16. In a machine of the characterdescribed, a rotatable type carrier; a platen; I

means for relatively moving the type carrier and platen toward and-from each other to produce indorsements on papers; means for stopping therotation of the carrier; and adjustable stopping means adapted to limitto various extents the relative movement of the type carrier and platenaway from each other I whereby the time of clearance of the type carrier from said first stopping means, and the consequent impact of the type withthe paper to be indorsed, can be varied.

In testimony-whereof I havesigned my PAUL, J CLARK. 

